Harford County, MD Vision Obstructions

Whenever the Director of the Department of Public Works finds that there exists on any private property within the county any trees, bushes, vines, weeds, undergrowth, loose earth or other obstructions, except buildings and similar structures affixed to the ground, that obstruct the vision of operators of vehicles traveling upon any county road so as to constitute a traffic hazard, the Director of the Department of Public Works shall immediately serve the owner, agent, lessee or any other person having supervision over such property a written notice describing the premises whereon such obstruction exists, a statement of the particulars in which the vision of operators of vehicles is obstructed, including the steps necessary to correct such conditions, and an order directing that corrective steps be taken within a stated period of time.

Any person who considers himself aggrieved by any order issued pursuant to this section may, within five (5) days of the receipt of such order, petition the Director, in writing, for a hearing thereon. Within seven (7) days from the receipt of such petition, the Director shall hold such a hearing, after which he may either affirm, modify or rescind the order. No official of the county government shall remove any obstruction or enforce any order issued under this section until after such hearing has been held by the Director or until the time to petition for such hearing has expired without such a petition having been filed.

All orders and notices issued by the Director of the Department of Public Works pursuant to this section shall be served on the person to whom they are directed, either by registered mail or by personal delivery to such person. If such person is not known to reside and cannot be found in the county, such service shall be made by publication of such order or notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county and by posting the same on the premises in a conspicuous manner. Service by publication and posting shall be deemed to be made on the day of publication or posting.

Upon failure of any person to comply with the provisions of any order issued under § 225-3 within the time specified therein, the Director of the Department of Public Works shall direct his subordinates to enter upon the property where the obstruction is located and remove all or such part of the obstruction as may be necessary to eliminate the traffic hazard.

Whenever it is necessary for the Director of the Department of Public Works to provide for the removal or elimination of any type of obstruction referred to in § 225-3 pursuant to the procedures prescribed in Subsection A of this section, he shall file with the Treasurer a certified statement of the cost to the county of such removal or elimination, together with proof of service of the notice described in § 225-3. The cost of such removal, together with the cost of publication, shall constitute a charge and lien against the property and shall be collected in the same manner as are real estate taxes.